Our Mission, History, and Values

Since its founding in 1983, the Sacramento Region Community Foundation has been dedicated to connecting people who care with causes that matter. As the Sacramento region’s primary provider of philanthropic services, we help people who want to give back to their community. By managing their charitable giving, we help donors in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, and Yolo counties achieve their philanthropic goals effectively, intelligently, creatively, and confidently.

Our Mission

Sacramento Region Community Foundation transforms our community through focused leadership and advocacy that inspire partnerships and expand giving.

For over 35 years, the Sacramento Region Community Foundation has managed charitable funds for local families, businesses and nonprofits.

Our History

In the early 1980’s, a small group of community leaders saw a need in the Sacramento region – a need for stable, permanent, financial support that would promote charitable giving and increase the capacity of local nonprofits to meet the growing region’s critical needs. In 1982, a steering committee was formed by the Junior League of Sacramento to explore the idea and attract the necessary funding to turn the community foundation from concept to reality. The Sacramento Regional Foundation was officially incorporated in April of 1983.

Over 35 years later, the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, as it is now called, manages over 600 charitable funds for local families, businesses and nonprofits through El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, and Yolo counties. The majority of those funds are permanently endowed and total assets have grown to over $140 million. Annual grants awarded to nonprofit organizations from our charitable funds have grown from $272,900 in 1983 to over $14 million in 2018, and more than $150 million since inception.

We offer personalized service to each donor, and house a variety of giving vehicles to accommodate your charitable interests. It is our business to be knowledgeable about community needs so that we can guide you to organizations that address the issues that you care about. If you are interested in creating a lasting legacy, the Foundation can provide assurance that gifts will support organizations and causes of your choice—now and forever.

The Foundation staff

Our staff is available to offer personalized advice to help guide decisions about your fund and your plans for giving. We are here to help, and look forward to supporting your charitable vision.

Our Core Values

...respect all aspects of diversity in individuals and in our community

...encourage actions that fulfill our mission

...are accountable to those who have placed their trust in us

...build and leverage assets that meet our donor's wishes and better our community

...focus our work to assure clarity and to maximize achievements

Our Vision

Sacramento Region Community Foundation is the trusted steward of charitable assets, a community catalyst for meaningful change and the advocate for shaping vital impact through philanthropy. Our leadership and our work with others produces a thriving community exemplified by opportunities for all to:

Reside and work in a vibrant economy

Benefit from a strong nonprofit sector

Flourish through the strength of our diversity

Live with a sense of dignity and self-worth

The Sacramento region has the right to expect the Foundation to meet high standards of integrity, transparency, and professionalism. As your community foundation, we are proud to uphold the provisions of the Donor Bill of Rights and our Service Credo and to be guided by them in all of our dealings. Additionally, we are confirmed in compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations, indicating we meet the highest standards for philanthropic excellence.

MAKE AN IMPACT

By creating a charitable fund through the Foundation, you can make a difference in this community – now and always.